YREKA – The Yreka man charged with animal cruelty in February after authorities allegedly discovered several deceased animals in his home and two emaciated puppies in his yard will stand trial.

The jury trial for Michael Lee Stannard, 35, was set for Aug. 27 in the Siskiyou County Superior Court. He faces four misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.

According to Yreka Police Department Chief Brian Bowles, the investigation was prompted when officials received a report that puppies were not being cared for in the backyard of Stannard’s residence on Wetzel Way.

When officers responded, they reportedly observed that the two six-month-old Pit Bull puppies in the backyard were severely underweight and they allegedly discovered a number of deceased animals in the residence. Bowles said it is alleged that Stannard had been absent from the residence for a long period of time.

Yreka Animal Control removed the two puppies and the three surviving pets inside the residence – a snake and two small fish. The animals subsequently received veterinary care.

Stannard was charged and booked into the county jail on $20,000 bail. He has since posted bail and has been released from custody.